[Global Web Report] The European Commission proposed on the 17th to grant Ukraine "candidate status" to the European Union.
According to Agence France-Presse, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the 17th at the 25th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that Russia does not oppose Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
On June 17, local time, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech at the plenary session of the 25th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Photo courtesy of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum
"We have no objection to this, it is their sovereign decision whether to join this economic union ... it is their business and the Ukrainian people's business," Putin said. "In terms of economic integration, it is their choice." , "In contrast to NATO, the EU is not a military alliance."
However, Putin warned that if Ukraine insisted on joining the EU, it would "become a semi-colony of Western countries".
"That's my opinion," Putin said.
Previously, Ukraine has repeatedly expressed its willingness to join the EU.
In April this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly stated at a joint press conference held after a meeting with European Council President Michel that Ukraine regards "joining the European Union" as a priority goal.
On June 16, Zelensky met visiting leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Romania in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron said after the meeting that France, Germany, Italy and Romania had reached an agreement and hoped that the European Commission would immediately grant Ukraine the status of an EU candidate.